The trial centered on a payment made by FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, to Platini in 2011. At the time, Platini was president of UEFA, European soccer’s governing body.
Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accused the two men of illegally arranging the payment of 2 million Swiss francs (currently US$2.05 million).
“I want to express my happiness for all my loved ones that justice has finally prevailed after seven years of lies and manipulations,” Platini said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
“The truth came out during this trial,” he added. “I kept saying it: my fight is a fight against injustice. I won the first game.”
As Blatter entered the courtroom to hear the verdict, he told reporters: “I am not innocent in my life, but in this case I am innocent.”
During the trial in June, Blatter claimed the payment to Platini was payment of a salary owed to the Frenchman for consultancy work done with FIFA between 1998 and 2002.
“This is a salary due. I don’t know why we are in a criminal hearing for an administrative procedure,” Blatter said.
“Platini told me I’m worth a million and I told him you’ll be with me for a million – a gentleman’s agreement,” the 86-year-old continued.
The verdict is the culmination of an investigation that began in 2015.
Following the pair’s acquittals, a FIFA spokesman said: “FIFA takes note of the court’s judgment on the case brought by the OAG and will await the full reasoned decision before commenting further.”
Add Comment